Did You Know It Was Love?

Did you know it was love that was sent from above to the Earth?

These are some of the words that were sung at the church Christmas program today.

At this time of year with all the demands and hustle and bustle and commercialism it is easy to forget that this season REALLY is about love.

It is hard for me to imagine the faith, obedience and love of Mary, a woman willing to bear God's son.
Knowing she was human, being asked to participate in the most spiritual act any mother would ever be asked to perform.
That of bringing God's son into this world.
(I would have had a long "are you sure...?" list.)


I think of the character of her husband Joseph, willing to take a wife bearing another's child.
The trusting faith, coupled with love for his heavenly father, his wife and an unborn child.
Truly an example of a man of God.

Love can only describe a Father willing to send His son to Earth knowing he would be persecuted for who he was.
His Father's son.
Knowing it was the only way to save all His children.
"How grateful I am to know that God loves us. The incomprehensible depth of that love found expression in the gift of His Only Begotten Son."
-- Gordon B. Hinckley

Think of the love of the man willing to be born in a stable and spend a life in selfless service to numerous people, many who would never believe his message.
Someone who would willingly sacrifice and in the end, give His life that we could all live again.

Mostly I think of the example of love Jesus showed through His lessons on how to treat others.
That one of the most important lessons about love He taught, to love one another as He has loved us (mentioned at least 5 times in John), is sometimes the hardest gift to give.
That it is easier to spend money and give materially than it is to give from our heart.

Maybe mention of scriptures is uncomfortable or not the appropriate place on this kind of blog.
Perhaps that is true, but what I do know is that all the pain inflicted in my life by others could have been prevented if love of others had been the model to follow.

So as I struggle within myself to get in the spirit of Christmas, I intend to ask myself often,"Did you remember it was because of love?" and "In what little way can I show love to another?"

I am grateful for the love I have been blessed with!

How did you know it was love? 

"May I share with you a formula that in my judgment will help you and help me to journey well through mortality... First, fill your mind with truth; second, fill your life with service; and third, fill your heart with love."
--Thomas S. Monson

Today Is My Lucky Day!

This is what a little girl said to me when I went over to do a nanny job at her house.

She told me it was her lucky day because I came.

Talk about being humbled.
Talk about touching my heart!
Talk about being taught by a child!

I learned:
Not to be afraid of expressing your feelings (even if you are not sure the other person feels the same way.)
That you can be enthusiastic over what may seem to some to be a very simple thing.
That it is fun to be enthusiastic.
That you can be enthusiastic by yourself!
That enthusiasm is infectious!


That you can find the positive in almost anything.
That gratitude is something we often forget to have.
That gratitude can change a duty into a privilege.
That gratitude is infectious.
That gratitude is a virtue.
That at the end of the day I was the one who had a Lucky Day! 

"May we be found among those who give our thanks to our Heavenly Father.  If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.  Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days-as much as we can-with those things which matter most.  May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."~Thomas S. Monson